Major changes have been made to iOS, which means Apple will only release the best iPhone in the EU, according to experts. Here’s why.
Major changes in EU
In 2024, Apple has made major changes that will only be visible to users in the European Union. This is due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the EU, a law that should ensure that so-called ‘gatekeepers’ do not have too much power. Such a gatekeeper is for example Google with its search engine, but also Apple with the App Store. Apple therefore announced important adjustments in January.
Since this year, it has been possible to install alternative web shops on your iPhone. You can also download apps that are not in the App Store. That is not all, because it is even possible to install applications directly via the internet. In addition, Apple has opened up the NFC chip to third parties, which makes more payment methods available in addition to Apple Pay. According to experts, the EU currently has the best version of the iPhone.
EU has many more functions
Users in the European Union have had many more functions on the iPhone since this year. These are increasing, for example the Epic Games Store was recently released for iOS. European users can therefore install Fortnite and other games on the iPhone again, while this is not possible at all in the United States, for example. Apple prevented these kinds of adjustments for years, to ensure privacy and security on the iPhone.
In the European Union, Apple has now implemented these changes in the iPhone, because the law obliges the company to do so. All adjustments have been running smoothly so far, which is why experts in the United States, for example, are wondering when they will get the same functions. For example, it is still not possible there to install alternative web shops, or to choose which apps you use by default for certain functions. The Mac has had these features worldwide for a long time.
Apple Intelligence as a means of pressure
Now that all these adjustments to the iPhone have been implemented smoothly in the EU, it is expected that other countries will eventually implement similar regulations. Apple is trying to counter this, for example by releasing Apple Intelligence (much) later in Europe. According to the company, this has to do with European regulations, but is also intended to put pressure on the EU.
However, the new AI features will be available on the iPhone in the EU later, giving European users the largest selection in iOS. The operating system will thus gain features comparable to macOS, where you also have freedom to choose standard apps and web stores. Your iPhone will thus become a small computer, with all the possibilities of macOS.
Experts: iOS in EU is now the best
Outside the European Union, all (mandatory) changes that Apple implements here are being watched with interest. The Verge describes the European version of iOS as the better variant at the moment. Federico Viticcia well-known iOS expert, goes even further. According to him, the European version of iOS is exactly what users have been waiting for for years.
Apple has since made even more changes. For example, emulators are now allowed in the App Store, a feature that Apple has released for users all over the world. The team working on the App Store has also been restructured, with one group focusing on apps from alternative web stores. There is therefore a good chance that the European features will eventually be released worldwide. That will take some time, so for now Apple is only releasing the best iPhone in the EU according to experts.
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